We have been talking a lot about the new landlord tenant law that took effect last year. Since this new law is so important to Alabama property owners, we are going to spend a little time going over all of the things you need to know to ensure that you are in compliance.

Today’s Topic: Required Disclosures

The landlord or the property management company managing a rental property must inform the tenant of the name and address of both the owner of the property and the property manager if they are not the same. The purpose of this requirement is to give the tenant the names of the people who will be responsible for accepting rent, making repairs and or addressing concerns related to the tenancy. This provision is also intended to give tenants, who now have increased legal recourse the information that they would need to initiate a lawsuit against the right parties. The landlord may want to revise the lease to include this information or consider sending each tenant a welcome letter that spells out the management relationship at the at the beginning of the lease year.

§ 35-9A-202. Disclosure.

(a) A landlord or any person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on the landlord’s behalf shall disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name and business address of:

(1) the person authorized to manage the premises; and

(2) an owner of the premises or a person authorized to act for and on behalf of the owner for the purpose of service of process and receiving and receipting for notices and demands.

(b) The information required to be furnished by this section shall be kept current and this section extends to and is enforceable against any successor landlord, owner, or manager.

(c) A person who fails to comply with subsection (a) becomes an agent of each person who is a landlord for:

(1) service of process and receiving and receipting for notices and demands; and

(2) performing the obligations of the landlord under this chapter and under the rental agreement and expending or making available for the purpose all rent collected from the premises.